meetings made easy in mexico
by ANDREA DOYLE

'Infrastructured'
For Success
Mexico has invested heavily in its facilities and infrastructure to not only attract group business but make light of planners' work when bringing their meetings here

Mexico is a country that takes its meetings and conventions business seriously. From the planning phase of a program to its conclusion, the Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) offers planners help every step of the
way. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico's tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors, bringing together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities, and private companies to promote Mexico's tourism attractions and destinations internationally.

The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Understanding the value of the association market as well as the importance of being where market intelligence information emerges, the MTB recently decided to move its regional North America office from Chicago to Washington, D.C. This new office is slated to open next month.

Mexico is an alluring combination of unique and colorful cultures with the state-of-the-art facilities, technology, and services you would find in a North American destination. The MTB and Mexican Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) are readily available to give advice on local customs, office hours, meal times, and festivals, as well as information on unique venues, properties, facilities, group dining options, and other elements integral to bringing your meeting to Mexico. Here are just a few highlights of the benefits of meeting in Mexico:

Meetings Online. From checking out facilities to requesting estimates, this timesaving tool allows planners to access everything they may need to organize meetings in Mexico via the Internet. The tool can be found at www.visitMexico.com by clicking on the meeting and incentive planners section.

Zero Tax. The Zero Tax bill, also known as Tasa Cero, means enormous cost savings for meeting planners. This bill repealed the Value Added Tax on international meetings and conventions held in Mexico, currently at 10 percent in border states and 15 percent elsewhere.

Mexico Convention Bureau. Few other countries have a national body like the Mexico Convention Bureau, devoted to meetings and conferences. Created in 2003, the bureau is an example of Mexico's commitment to serving the meeting and exhibition market.

Framework for Success. Today, Mexico offers a wide variety of meeting options: 38 state-of-the-art convention centers, more than 245,000 hotel guest rooms for conventions, and more than six million square feet of event space. These meeting spaces are among the most modern in the world, fully equipped with audio, individual light systems, optical fiber, broadband Internet, and more state-of-the-art capabilities. With 58 international airports, meeting destinations throughout Mexico are easily accessible for attendees.

Mexico by the Numbers
56 destinations for meetings
3,100 hotels
245,000 guest rooms
58 international airports
28 domestic airports
6 million square feet of meeting space
38 convention centers
16 destinations for incentive travel

Andrea Doyle is Convene's senior writer.

Meetings Made Easy in Mexico is sponsored by Mexico Tourism. Visit its Web site at www.visitmexico.com, where you may now also complete your RFP, by clicking on the Meeting and Incentive Planners section.